Not only did she provide a recipe, but an easy party idea for the upcoming Cinco de Mayo: a B.Y.O.T. Bar, or ‘build your own tostada’ bar.

Tostada literally means ‘toasted’ so Shaila tells us the best tortillas for tostadas are those not fresh enough to make tacos, but fresh enough to be eaten. She explains that just like you wouldn’t use fresh bread for croutons, we wouldn’t use fresh tortillas for tostadas.

This recipe can be as complex or as practical as one wants it done. The secret is to have lots of options, a.k.a. toppings.

B.Y.O. “Tostadas” – Build Your Own Tostadas

Ingredients (4 tostadas):

4 fried tortillas or purchase tostadas

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

Refried beans or 1 can (see recipe below)

2 cups cooked protein or sliced red / green peppers

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup favorite shredded cheese

½ head of lettuce cubed

2 medium avocados, peeled and sliced

Salsa fresca (see recipe below)

Sour cream

Chopped cilantro

1 fresh chopped jalapeño chile

Preparation:

Tostadas

* Corn tortillas

* ½ cup of olive oil

* salt to taste

Place olive oil in small frying pan on medium heat

Once oil is hot carefully place corn tortilla till crispy then flip and cook other side

Remove tortilla now a tostada from oil and place in a paper towel line plate to cool off. Sprinkle a bit of salt, repeat step as needed. For a healthier option place tortillas in over at 300 degrees and toast till crispy) Set aside until needed.

Refried Beans

Prepare beans as per recipe, or purchase refried beans

Ingredients:

1 lb. of dry beans of choice (pinto or black)

8 cups of water

1/4 cup oil

1 onion finely chopped

Salt (to taste)

Sort, rinse and wash the beans

Place beans in water over med/high heat and cover the pot

Cook for 2 to 4 hours or until tender. Uncover and add salt and simmer another 10 minutes.

Pour the oil in a pan and mix in the chopped onion. When the onion bits become translucent add the beans and mix well.

Mash the beans using a fork or potato masher

Keep frying the beans until they have absorbed all the oil. Add additional seasonings to flavor. Set aside until needed.

Protein

Prepare your protein of choice, cut to desire consistency, flavor as desired, and set aside till needed. This is where you may use your favourite protein recipe or for vegetarian any fresh grilled red and green peppers.